Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674.
Shotesham Parish Council with PCC and SVA – Following some tentative lifting of lockdown restrictions, we now appear to moving slightly backwards and remain a long way from normality. The joint group continues to meet to continue our attempts, with the help of various volunteers, to ensure all Shotesham residents have their needs met during these difficult times. If anyone finds themselves in need of some assistance, please let one of us know.
Contacts are:-
Bob Harris. 550672. hill.cottage@btinternet.com
Jeff Gough. 550358. clerk.shotesham@outlook.com
Heather Jackson 550785. heatherbelljackson@btinternet.com
Ken Munro 550736. resotan@aol.com
The Globe is open for business, although due to limited seating inside the pub, whilst the weather lasts, customers are encouraged to use outside seating whenever possible. Appropriate arrangements are in place, and wherever possible payment by card is requested. You may be aware that David and Ali are moving on in October, the process to find new management is ongoing so watch this space!
The DIARY – Click here
Something we did in lockdown! Following a suggestion by our own Pat Harris, a small group of our residents, ably led and coordinated by Ken Holbeck, decided to create a short story by writing a paragraph each, along with several alternative endings……..Time to go.. click here to continue
The SVA have decided that it’s unlikely that any events will be able to take place this year, outdoor or indoor, roll on next year!
Walking in Shotesham – The Boys (and girls) are back in town (well, country really) as the Walking Group has now reformed!
The first walk took place locally on Sunday 20th Sept and an eagle eyed walker spotted this article for organised walking groups- https://www.ramblers.org.uk/coronavirus so, with social distancing and common sense, we can ‘keep calm and carry on’! Next walk is on Monday 28th, meeting at the Trinity, no car sharing however.
Wildlife around Shotesham – Courtesy of Mike Fenn, Ken Holbeck and lots of walkers!
RSPB images – Adult in flight Juvenille
‘Three of these beautiful birds appeared over Chapel Lane on Wednesday 20th July, a single falcon was seen again on Friday and a pair on Sunday!
Apart from the delight of seeing the world’s fastest animal – some estimates of 200 mph whilst stooping on prey – the thought crossed my mind about the Norwich Cathedral brood. Four juveniles were raised there but one, unfortunately, was killed in a collision with a light aircraft at Norwich Airport. Could these three be the surviving youngsters?’
Ken Holbeck
Not forgetting the Cows – Regular visitors will be used to the sight of cows on the north end of Shotesham Common (ie between Hollow Lane and Skeets Hill). We currently have a small herd of around 15 who graze up and down the length of this end. They are now well accustomed to walkers and won’t cause any issues as long as they continue to be treated with due respect. They even quite enjoy the company of some of their new friends like Skye and Ted!
Some more, but NOT unwanted!! A resident of The Common found a nest in the tree by the style from The Common onto the Common!! After some research including our local entomologist and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, thankfully they are native Eurasian Hornets and definitely NOT Giant Asian Killer Hornets (which kill honey bees), phew 😅, but still take care!
Wildlife Blog – you may be interested in visiting this blog by Shotesham resident Andy Musgrove….some fascinating creepy crawly things! http://andymuspsl.blogspot.com/
Shotesham Conservation Group is back, albeit with suitable COVID restrictions, message from Frank…….
“Hello everyone in the conservation group.
We have been holding back as long as possible before deciding whether to go ahead with the usual conservation projects this year. We have now decided that we can go ahead in reasonable safety as long as we apply good practice in the way we go about it. Obviously it will be for each volunteer to decide whether to take part this time around.
To keep things as safe as possible the following safeguards will apply:
1. All volunteers should bring and wear gloves throughout.
2. Volunteers should bring their own refreshments and cups etc if they want anything and their own hand sanitizer.
3. All participants should make sure they keep their social distance throughout (except for people from one household who could help by working together).
4. One person will bring the equipment from Ed’s store on the trailer and the same person will return it. As long as the equipment is left untouched for 72 hours before and after use it should be virus free.
5. Only one person should use each piece of equipment on any one day (and hang on to it during the session) and each person return the equipment they’ve been using to the trailer.
6. If we are using the “stretcher” we should only load it lightly so that it can be carried by 2 people rather than 4.
7. As all the work is done in the open it will be up to each volunteer whether to wear a mask?
Please don’t feel under any pressure to take part this year but if you are happy with the set up and want to join us we’ll be delighted to see you (at a distance!). Watch this space for upcoming events which will, of course, be managed in groups of a maximum of six. Thanks, Frank
Frank Mitchell
8 The Grove
Shotesham
NR15 1XJ
01508 558545
frank333mitchell@btinternet.com
…and the Trustees (well, Ed) still working hard on keeping our Common tidy!
Other Information –
New division boundaries across Norfolk, have your say here have your say here consultation ends on 23rd November.
Norfolk Local Councils’ Wellbeing Group have produced an excellent article on Carbon Footprints and some actions which can be taken, click hereclick here
South Norfolk’s latest bulletin containing a lot of good advice can be found at their website here….too big to attach!.
Even with the world wide crisis, some people are still looking to take advantage of any weaknesses. As always, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101.
SCAM AWARE! Due to the increasing occurrence of scams, we’ve decided to feature a log of examples on the site which will feature examples of things to avoid, and hopefully give a general of the types of scams that are out there. If you experience anything suspicious, please send evidence via email (Contact Us above) and we’ll add them to the list. Thanks for your help and, as always, don’t respond to anything you’re not sure of, and you can always look up the Scam Aware website or Google the company name (other search engines are available). REMEMBER, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a DUCK! Click on the links for some examples – text msg – Email Provider – Letters promising $millions!! Other scams are available!
Shotesham Parish Council are looking to restore and re-instate the black and white finger post signs, and the South Norfolk Council, though they will supply the materials, no longer have the ability to make them. As a result we may be looking for sponsorship of individual posts from members of the village to supplement any other money we can apply for. Would you like to consider becoming a sponsor? If so please contact Jeff at clerk.shotesham@outlook.com
Community information…
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information
Rural Services Norfolk – latest bulletin
South Norfolk older people’s forum, details here.
Norfolk campaign to S.C.R.A.P. fly tipping…details here
For assistance with power cuts, please click this link from UK Power Networks
Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.
Our local police officer is PC 1151 Sherry Locke who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, contact details for all our local officers – click here.
Local Police info – following a recent break, the Police Newsletter is back –September Newsletter
News from Norfolk Police Commissioner – June Newsletter
Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)